Hugo Louis Westphal, Jr. was born Feb. 12, 1929, in Gerlane, Kan., to Hugo L. Westphal, Sr. and Margaret F. Iford Westphal, and was the oldest of six children. He died Oct. 5, 2021 in Syracuse, Neb., at the age of 92 years, 7 months, 23 days.

Hugo graduated from Isabel High School, and served in the United States Navy. After discharge, he worked a variety of jobs and more than 32 years of his career working at Champlin and Anadarko petroleum companies in Kansas and Nebraska. He married Clara Ethel Childers and they moved to Superior, Neb., where they raised their three sons, Hugo III, Stephen and Matthew.

Upon retirement from the oil company, Hugo received a very distinct call to become a pastor for the United Methodist Church. He graduated from St. Paul's Seminary and Southeast Community College, accepting his first pastoral assignment at the United Methodist Church in Cook and Elk Creek, Neb. In 1992, he married Kathleen (Purcell) Westphal and they began their life together. He subsequently served parishes of Genoa, Denton, Pleasant Dale, Raymond and Roca as a United Methodist pastor.

Hugo was a more than 50 year member Master Mason in Superior Lodge No. 121, and Sir Knight in the Palmyra Commandery No. 27 Knights Templar of Superior, Neb. He was also a member of the Lions Club and American Legion in Superior. Hugo liked traveling, Aldersgate retreats and family gatherings. 

Hugo was preceded in death by his parents, Hugo and Margaret Westphal; his brother, Kenneth Westphal and his brother, Ronald Westphal; son, Hugo L Westphal III; and grandson, Tristan Westphal.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen; son, Matthew (Karla), Lawrence, Kan .; son, Steve (Michelle) of Lawrence, Kan .; daughter-in-law, Annie Westphal; brother, Dr. Dan Westphal (Phyllis) of Boca Raton, Fla .; brother, Carl Westphal of Seabeck, Wash .; sister, Nancy Schukman (Dr. Jay) of Richmond, Va .; step-daughters, Shelley (Dale) Wagner, Cindy (CJ) Freeman and Deb (Wes) Connaway; grandchildren Schuyler Westphal and Chanelle Ludwig; great-grandchildren, Quinton, Nevada, Aurora and Athena; six step-grandchildren, one step-great-grandchild; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. 

His funeral was held at St. Mark's Methodist Chapel in Lincoln, Neb., at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, Oct. 12. The service was livestreamed on the Fusselman Facebook page. Internment will be in Isabel, Kan., at a later time.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Arrangements were by Fusselman Allen Harvey Funeral Home, Syracuse, Neb.